Ruckus: July 26, 2012

TOPIC 1: OLD DEBATE RENEWED
The issue of gun control has arisen again following the shootings in Aurora, Colorado, last weekend. The Star has called for tighter controls. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is asking presidential candidates to say what they would do about this matter.

TOPIC 2: HOSPITAL HASSLE
St. Luke’s Health System is working on a plan to find savings of 100-million dollars. The project is necessitated by fears of financial problems that may follow full implementation of the new health care law. A major concern is “declining reimbursements” for Medicare and Medicaid. Was the Affordable Care Act expected to cause this type of problem?

TOPIC 3: WITH FRIENDS LIKE THIS …
Politico reports that Senator McCaskill is running commercials that indicate she believes Congressman Todd Akin would be her weakest opponent in November.

TOPIC 4: THE POLL TOLL
A new SurveyUSA poll shows Governor Brownback with only a 36 percent approval rating. When he was elected in 2010, he pulled 63 percent of the vote. The Wichita Eagle-Beacon newspaper says the upcoming election will be a referendum on Brownback’s agenda.